This article was originally published on September 20, 2022, and was updated on November 22, 2022, to reflect new information.
November 22, 2022, Update: The government of Iceland announced that a shipment of residence permit cards is expected to arrive earlier than expected from a government provider. The government will continue to limit the issuance of residence permit cards and will instead issue letters of confirmation in a letter format. The letter will contain information on the applicant’s validity period and employment rights.
Official residence permit cards will only be issued to individuals seeking to travel outside the country. However, these travelers will no longer need to send travel documents to the Immigration Service Agency for confirmation for an official residence card to be issued.
Original Post From September 20, 2022:
Key Points
- The government of Iceland announced changes to who will qualify for a physical copy of a residence permit card due to resource shortages in the production of cards
Overview
Effective September 15, 2022, the government of Iceland will only issue physical residence permit cards to individuals who need to travel outside the country. For the time being, all other applicants will receive a letter confirming the issuance of a residence permit to conserve related resources.
The government clarified that individuals seeking to obtain a physical residence permit card would need to submit proof of travel documents, such as a flight ticket, to utl@utl.is. From there, the applicant will receive confirmation and approval for issuing a physical residence permit card.
What are the Changes?
The government of Iceland announced that physical residence permit cards would only be sent to holders who need to exit the country. Foreign nationals who qualify for a residence permit card and do not plan to travel outside the country will receive a letter of confirmation of the issuance of a residence card, which will contain information on the card’s validity period and the employee’s employment rights. According to the announcement, this decision will conserve the government’s resources and supplies for cards.
Looking Ahead
Continue to check the government of Iceland’s website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Immigration Office, Iceland
